Black eyed man he took the blame

for the poisoning of the well

They found this shoes by the pulley

They found his fingerprints all over the pail



Black eyed man I'm warning you

the people around here

will not be fooled by a simple line or two



Yes your honour I do solemnly swear

that I saw him late last night,

dancing barefoot, bathed in light

and reaching for every star in sight

Yes I did go to him,

but completely against my will

and yes he did things to me

things of which I dream of still



Black eyed man I'm warning you

what I say is what you'll do

to hell with love and truth



I always meant to say I'm sorry

for all the things I said and did

'Sorry,' I feel better now, do you?

But you promised me the sky

and fell short a star or two

What else did you expect me to do?



Black eyed man he took the blame

for the poisoning of the well

They found his shoes by the pulley

They found his fingerprints all over the pail

With a noose around his neck,

cicadas trilling everywhere,

he says to the people gathered round him,

'it ain't the water that's not right around here'



Black eyed man I'm thirsty dear

be a love and bring some water here

drawn fresh from the well